At The End Of Your Tether? Try Cordless

June 29, 1986|By Better Homes and Gardens.

Anyone who`s ever tried to untangle a 50-foot extension cord, looked high and low for a three-prong plug adapter or come up a foot short when running a power line to do a job can imagine the potential of cordless power tools.

But just how well do these new tools work?

Cordless tools won`t replace their tethered cousins, but they`re so handy that once you`ve tried them you`ll wonder how you ever got along without them. Irritating little jobs that keep you moving--putting up curtain rods, for example--become almost fun. Also, work in awkward places, such as repairing a rotted section of fascia, becomes much simpler without cords.

Cordless power tools have impressive stamina. In a simple, one-time test of each tool, we found the following:

-- The Skil power drill ($125 with case and extra battery) did better at drilling holes of 1/4 inch or less, but steadily took on 1/2-inch holes as well.

The battery packs on these tools typically remove for recharge in an hour, but recharging time varies from one to three hours. Recharging procedures vary, too. Some tools aren`t supposed to be charged for more than their alloted time. Others are more conveniently designed--they can be left plugged in after the main charge is complete.

But remember, charges won`t last indefinitely. Some units lose 1 percent of charge for every day they`re left idle. If left unused for 90 days, some units will only recharge of 80 percent capacity on the first charge, but regain full capacity on subsequent charges.

A surprising feature is how quiet cordless tools are. You`ll find them a pleasure to use.

Don`t be fooled into thinking cordless tools are toys, however. With safety in mind, manufacturers include on-off switches in addition to the normal triggers.

Still, especially if young children are around, remember to remove the battery pack when you leave a job, just as you`d unplug the extension cord on any other power tool.